Lavonia Police Officers receive Purple Heart for Bravery

Two Lavonia Police officers, wounded in December in the line of duty are returning to work. Sister station WLHR reports that Lavonia Police Officer Jeffrey Martin is back on duty and Lavonia Police Captain Michael Schulman returns to light duty work today at the Lavonia Police Department. On Saturday, the sanctuary of Lavonia First Baptist Church was packed with well wishers, local and state officials and law enforcement officers from Franklin and Hart Counties to honor and celebrate Schulman and Martin. Both officers were presented with the Purple Heart for bravery Saturday evening, along with other awards and citations. Schulman and Martin were both wounded in the line of duty the night of Dec. 12 at the Zaxby’s in Lavonia while attempting to question the driver of vehicle that had been stolen out of South Carolina. Saturday’s ceremony took on the atmosphere of a church service as speaker after speaker spoke of God’s divine intervention the night of the shooting. Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said intense prayer that was going up that night after the shooting. Carlisle said God answered those prayers and saved the lives of his two officers. After being presented with the Purple Heart by Commander Farris T. Johnson of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Schulman and Martin were also presented with citations and awards from Chief Carlisle. In reflecting on the events of Dec. 12, Martin said he is grateful for those who rushed to help after the shooting and for the friends and loved ones in his life that have helped him recover. In his comments, Captain Schulman thanked his hospital nurse for giving him the courage to do the work necessary to get back home in time for Christmas. And Schulman said he has forgiven the alleged shooter, 22-year old Khari Anthony Dashaun Gordon of Greenville and is moving forward with his life because that is what he believes God would have him do. After an intense manhunt by dozens of area law enforcement officers, Gordon was captured just hours after the shooting. He faces multiple charges in Georgia including two counts of felony attempt to commit murder. He is also wanted on similar charges for an incident last year in Greenville. Gordon was indicted in January by a Franklin County Grand Jury and is being held without bond.